Chicago Republicans

Chicago Board of Election Commissioners

69 West Washington St., Suite 600

Chicago IL  60602

Attn:    Langdon Neal, Chairman

            Richard Cowen, Commissioner

            Mariel Hernanez, Commissioner

Commissioners:

Beginning in 2010, the Chicago Republican Party, working with other groups, has been investigating election procedures in Chicago with the intent to review, and where indicated seek to improve, ballot integrity.  Please accept this letter as a statement of concern over the current procedures of Early Voting in Chicago elections. 

As you know, since its introduction in 2006, Early Voting in Chicago has now exponentially grown from a small pilot program to a significant portion of the overall vote cast in Chicago.  In our view, the current practices and equipment used in Early Voting in Chicago is problematic on several grounds, including but not limited to the following: 

- employing no auditing process for Early Voting, even though election day and absentee voting are audited, and no tracking of Early Voting site complaints;

- using voting equipment that may be subject to electronic interference or manipulation;

- placing too much power in the hands of a few Board employees who are not known to be subject to any requirements or oaths of office;

- using foreign nationals to run and supervise Early Voting polling sites, including decisions on which potential voters will be issued ballots.   

We feel that the current state of Early Voting in Chicago creates a substantial risk to ballot integrity, with the commensurate risk of election fraud.  We respectfully demand changes in Early Voting in Chicago before the next major election cycle in 2012 to an Election Judge system, implementation of a balloting audit system and complaint tracking system, and institution of a ban on foreign nationals playing roles in Early Voting polling sites. 

1.  Lack of Early Voting Auditing.

As we understand the matter, it is a routine practice of the Board to conduct an audit of five percent (5%) of the vote cast in polling places in any election.  This procedure is designed to detect irregularities.  To our shock, we now know that no auditing whatsoever occurs with Early Voting.   Further, complaints arising from Early Voting sites are not tracked or noted in Board systems such as “Ask Ed.”

Given what we have already found as irregularities in the equipment and procedures of the Board on Early Voting, we must respectfully insist that the Board implement an audit procedure for Early Voting before the 2012 primary elections, and track Early Voting complaints.

It is our understanding that the Board has requested procedures for auditing Early Voting from the Illinois State Board of Elections, but has received no procedures.  We are copying the Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Elections to express our concern over this state of affairs and our request that the State Board of Elections either establish audit procedures before 2012 or terminate Early Voting programs.

2.  Vulnerable Early Voting Equipment.

We have fundamental concern over the integrity of touch screen electronic voting equipment currently in use at Early Voting sites and General Election polling places.  As we understand it, the Board intends to expand the use of such machines in the future.

Investigators have attended demonstrations of the equipment, only to be told that cellular telephones could not be used near the equipment because it “could affect the machines.”  This occurrence gave us great pause, as our pollwatchers have many times seen election personnel and voters using cell phones in Early Voting Polling places. Indeed, the Board itself communicates with Early Voting sites by cellular telephones.  

Further, we have reviewed several reports, admittedly unsubstantiated by us at this time, that electronic voting machines are susceptible to electronic manipulation.  We note that other political entities, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, have banned use of such machines on ground of ballot security.  We take no position on the matter for the present, but we intend to fully investigate these allegations. We kindly request the complete cooperation of the Board and its personnel in this matter.  If we find that the machines are in fact vulnerable to manipulation, we will demand that they no longer be used.

3.  Early Voting Polling Site Personnel.

As we understand the matter, under the Illinois Election Code, the Board has a choice in its application of Early Voting Polling Place officials.   The Board can either use (i) an Election Judge system, as is done in precincts on Election Day, or (ii) use Board employees as voting officials.  10 ILCS 5/19A‑30 (2010).  The Board has chosen the latter and hires temporary employees to man polling places.  These temporary workers are often called “Election Judges” but this is a deceiving misnomer:  the “judges” are temporary Board employees, in effect mere clerks with little or no discretion, and are subject to directives from Board personnel supervising the Early Voting Polling Place on matters such as tendering ballots, as with any employee. 

One area of our concern is whether Board personnel running polling places, and making crucial decisions on permitting applicants to vote, meet the requirements of Election Judges under the Illinois Election Code.  These requirements include:

-being citizens of the United States and entitled to vote at the next election;

-being of good repute and character and not subject to the registration requirement of the Sex Offender Registration Act;

-being able to speak, read and write the English language;

-being skilled in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic;

ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART

            Contrary to popular presumption, politicians do have a preordained “shelf life,” with a bar code that expires every ten years.

            That’s when, following completion of the decennial U.S. Census, all congressional and state legislative districts, as well as wards in municipalities, must be redrawn to be of equal population, reflecting the prior decade’s demographic shifts. Inasmuch as Chicago’s population dwindled by 200,418 and Cook County’s by 182,066, but Illinois’ increased by 445,087, the Chicago area will presumably lose legislators, but not necessarily legislative clout.

            A noticeable ripple effect will occur on Chicago’s Northwest Side. Inner-city black and Hispanic areas have lost population, with blacks continuing their exodus to Cook County’s south suburbs, Hispanics migrating to the western suburbs, and Mexican immigration slowing to a trickle. Under the federal Voting Rights Act, “majority-minority” districts must be preserved, which means white legislators, not minorities, are at risk.

            However,

Mike McAuliffe (R-20), Joe Lyons (D-19), John D’Amico (D-15) and Lou Lang (D-16), and state senators John Mulroe (D-10) and Ira Silverstein (D-8). All will gobble more suburban terrain. But it will put at severe risk State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-33), of Park Ridge, and state representatives Rosemary Mulligan (R-65), of Des Plaines, who will lose large slices of their existing districts to Chicagoans Mulroe and McAuliffe; and state representatives Deb Mell (D-40), who needs more non-Hispanic Chicago precincts, and Skip Saviano (R-77), of Elmwood Park, whose district will become more Hispanic.

“I will seek re-election,” emphatically stated Mulroe, elected in 2010 after Springfield Democrats dumped $800,000 into the race; he defeated Alderman Brian Doherty (R) by 5,884 votes (55.4 percent). Mulroe categorically denied rumors that he will seek a judgeship in 2012, clearing a path for Kotowski. “I’ll have a district,” he said.

            Likewise for McAuliffe, a Republican who is not estranged from Illinois Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan, whose staff is drawing the legislative lines. “I’ll be fine,” predicted McAuliffe, who said his new district will surrender at least 40 city precincts in the 36th, 38th and 29th wards, and a dozen in Harwood Heights, while gaining over 50 in Park Ridge, Schiller Park and Rosemont, and retaining Norridge. The only Chicago portion of his new district will be the 41st Ward, where he is Republican committeeman.

            Mulligan, first elected in 1992, is the Maine Township Republican committeeman, but rumors are rife that she will retire in 2012, after 20 years. Her Des Plaines residence won’t be in the new McAuliffe-friendly district. She has three options: battle McAuliffe or oppose fellow incumbent David Harris (R-66) of the Arlington Heights-Mount Prospect area in a primary, or quit. There are 83 precincts in Mulligan’s 65th District, of which 7 are in the 41st Ward, and half are in Park Ridge.

            The arithmetic of the remap is elemental. Illinois’ population in 2000 was 12,419,293, which allotted each of the 118 House districts a population of 105,248, and each Senate district (composed of two House districts) a population of 210,496. The state’s 2010 population is 12,864,380, up three percent. That means House and Senate district populations of, respectively, 109,020 and 218,040. There are 8 Senate districts wholly within Chicago, and 9 more with suburban overlap but dominated by Chicago; all are occupied by Democrats. According to the Census, four black South Side Senate districts lost over 81,000 people, and four Hispanic-majority Senate districts (three with suburban overlap) lost 56,600 people.

On the near Northwest Side, in an around Logan Square, the Hispanic population in the districts of State Senators Iris Martinez (D-20) and Willie Delgado (D-2) dropped by 38,000. Martinez’ new district will have to absorb 30,000 voters from adjacent northwestward districts – which means the eastern Belmont-Central portion of Lyons’ House district and the southern 36th Ward portion of McAuliffe’s district.

            Does this mean fewer “majority-majority” districts? Of course not. The “minority” districts simply push out, like a balloon, into the white areas, and the beleaguered white incumbent Chicagoans are pushed out farther into the suburbs.

            Along the Lakefront, white incumbent Heather Steans’ (D-7) Edgewater/Rogers Park district lost 22,000 in population. She must now push westward, taking at least 30,000 voters from the territory of Silverstein, whose current district includes Chicago’s West Rogers Park (50th Ward) and the 40th and 39th wards, as well as Lincolnwood and most of Skokie. That means Silverstein (and House member D’Amico) must corral more of Morton Grove and Skokie, which are now in Senator Jeff Schoenberg’s (D-9) district, and more of Niles, in Mulroe’s district.

            “John (D’Amico) will have a more suburban district,” prophesized Randy Barnette, the 39th Ward Democratic committeeman, who is the husband of Alderman Marge Laurino (39th), D’Amico’s aunt. “He will be safe,” said Barnette, given his “strong base” in the 39th Ward, and the fact that he already has 31 precincts in Niles and Morton Grove. But, as Silverstein’s district moves westward, it will be less Jewish, and could create future problems for the senator.

            Speaking of problems, Kotowski’s is huge. An inveterate campaigner, who devotes 10-12 hours per week to precinct work, Kotowski has solidified his Park Ridge base. He won by 29,293-2,7859 (51.2 percent) in 2006, upsetting appointed incumbent Cheryl Axley, and was re-elected by 48,344-32,293 (59.9 percent) in 2008. He is part and parcel of the Democrats’ Senate majority, and rarely bucks Senate president John Cullerton, who can deliver $500,000-plus for any future Kotowski campaign. Kotowski voted for the state income tax hike (as did Mulroe), and was eagerly desirous of annexing the usually Democratic 41st Ward into his new district, jettisoning Republican-leaning Elk Grove, Rolling Meadows and south Arlington Heights.

            Instead, Kotowski gets a kick in the head. His district has 188 precincts, of which 7 are in the 41st Ward. He will move out along I-90, taking in more of Arlington Heights, plus parts of Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates. He will lose virtually all of Park Ridge.

            “Democrats” – meaning Cullerton’s Senate operation – “made a big investment in Mulroe (in 2010),” observed one Springfield insider. “He’s a keeper. They’ll let Kotowski fend for himself. They think he can win wherever they put him.” Kotowski resides in Park Ridge, but he can run in 2012 in any new district which includes any part of his old district.

            In 2010, Kotowski ally Mark Walker, elected state representative in 2008 in the west end (66th District) of Kotowski’s district, lost to Republican Harris by 16,147-13,763 (54 percent). Harris’s base is in Arlington Heights, and Walker’s was in Mount Prospect. Walker won in 2008 by 2,048 votes, and lost in 2010 by 2,384 votes. Harris’s new district will extend from River Road to beyond Roselle Road. He is unknown in Des Plaines and west of I-290. Democrats are already putting pressure on Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan to run for the seat.

            The likely remap will juxtapose McAuliffe’s and Lyons’ House districts from north-south to east-west. McAuliffe’s currently extends in a bell-shaped configuration from Howard to Belmont, taking in 38 (of 57) precincts in the 41st Ward, 36 (of 55) in the 36th Ward, and six (of 53) in the 38th Ward, plus 20 in Park Ridge and Niles. “It will be like my father’s (district) in the 1980s,” noted McAuliffe, referring to the late Roger McAuliffe’s old 14th District, which took in the east half of Park Ridge. A key addition will be Rosemont, a Republican bastion now in Saviano’s Elmwood Park-based district.

            Parts of Saviano’s district, especially Franklin Park and Melrose Park, are now heavily Hispanic. If he absorbs territory in DuPage County, such as Addison, the district will be close to majority Hispanic.

Lyons’ district is centered on his 45th Ward base, encompassing 46 (of 53) precincts in the 45th Ward, and 44 (of 53) in the 38th Ward; the district runs from Devon to Addison, west of Cicero. Lyons is seeking re-election, and his new district will extend west, taking in all of the non-Hispanic parts of the 36th and 38th wards, plus Harwood Heights; he will surrender the east quarter of the 45th Ward, including Forest Glen, to D’Amico, and the Elston-Pulaski area to Mell. Despite his vote for the income tax hike, Lyons is secure.

In fact, local political sources indicate that D’Amico, who resides in the Edgebrook area of the 45th Ward, and whose House district includes seven 45th Ward precincts, will be the “compromise” choice for Democratic committeeman in 2012, replacing Pat Levar. He was not involved in the bitter 2011 aldermanic race, and is not unacceptable to incoming Alderman John Arena or the existing Lyons/Levar organization.

E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his website at www.russstewart.com

"The budget should be balanced,
the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced,
the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,
and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed
...lest Rome become bankrupt.

People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

Congress Begins Spending Cuts
Which Budget Plan is Best?

Dear Friends:

Last week, Congress finally approved the largest cut in federal spending history.  After a long week, Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Reid and President Obama agreed that we should reduce federal spending by $38 billion more for 2011.  I support this bipartisan agreement.  

But nearly everyone agrees that the reduction in 2011 spending is not enough to stop massive federal borrowing.  If we do not change course, Congress will saddle the next generation of young Americans with trillions in debt, much of it owed to China and other foreign nations.

With the debate on 2011 spending over, Congress is now poised to debate 2012 spending.   Three major plans have emerged:  the President’s Budget Request, the House Budget Resolution and the Bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility plan.  Each of these plans present major policy options that will impact our future.

Which plan do you support for future federal spending and debt? (Please select one)

•  The President’s Plan: The President’s budget seeks to spend an additional $400 billion over the next 10 years, including inflation.  The President’s plan would increase taxes by allowing portions of recent tax relief, enacted in December, to expire next year.
•  The Bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility Plan: This proposal would reduce the debt by $4 trillion over 10 years, reform entitlement programs and increase revenues by simplifying the tax code and lowers overall rates to 28%.
•  The House Plan: The House Budget Resolution would cut $5.8 trillion over the next 10 years and includes major reforms for Medicaid and Medicare (beginning is 2022).  This budget does not change Social Security and does not raise taxes.
•  Don't Know

Amazingly, there is no Senate Democratic Budget plan to address America’s current fiscal challenges. 

I favor cutting spending as much as possible while keeping taxes low.  Let me know what you think and I will reply with further information.

Thank you for taking the time to provide me with your thoughts on this issue.  Please feel free to contact me at (312) 886-3506 or online at kirk.senate.gov if you have any questions or comments.

It is an honor to serve you in the U.S. Senate.

Very truly yours,

Mark Kirk

U.S. Senate

ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART

*          Unlike the Spanish Inquisition, Democratic precinct captains in Chicago’s 36th Ward have no need for whips, chains or decapitation devices. They simply make it abundantly clear that a “wrong” vote will not go un-noticed or unpunished.

*          In years past, voters quaked in mortal fear of their precinct captain. “They were afraid and intimidated,” explained Nick Sposato, the ward’s new alderman. “People need help. People need city services. And if they didn’t vote like they were told, and put up a lawn sign, they thought they’d get neither.”

            Added Sposato, a city firefighter: “I know tough guys who would risk their life by entering a burning building, or start a fight at the merest insult, but who were afraid to offend their precinct captain.”

            In the April 5 runoff, Sposato grievously offended Democratic committeeman and former Alderman Bill Banks, former state senator Jim DeLeo, and especially John Rice, Banks’ hapless former driver and 2009 successor as alderman. He defeated Rice by a convincing 5,629-4,378  margin (56.3 percent), carrying 41 of the ward’s 55 precincts.

            In any given election, the “B-D Boys,” as the Banks-DeLeo Machine is known, put 200-250 workers on the street, more than 4 per precinct. At every polling place, voters run a gauntlet of signs and thugs, and stern admonitions about whom they better vote for. Against Rice, Sposato’s skeletal organization had barely one worker per precinct, and no get-out-the-vote operation. Sposato did receive help from his fellow firefighters, with over 100 on the street on April 5.

In February’s six-candidate field, Rice got 6,743 votes (48.1 percent) in a 14,020 turnout. His five opponents – Sposato, Tom Motzny, Bruce Randazzo, Jodi Biancalana and Brian Murphy – ran a concentrated, co-operative “ABR” (Anybody But Rice) campaign, focusing their attacks on Rice, not each other. They amassed a total of 7,277 votes (51.9 percent).

The ward consists of Galewood, Montclare, Belmont Heights and the Cumberland corridor, and the common consensus was that Rice, who finished first in 52 of 55 precincts, and had over 50 percent in 24, would prevail in the runoff. But,  stunningly, the Rice vote collapsed. In a 10,007 turnout, Rice pulled an anemic 4,378 votes, 2,365 fewer than in February, a 35 percent drop. In seven precincts, Rice had under 30 percent, and in 17 he had under 40 percent.

How abysmal was that? Banks, when elected alderman in 1983, got 16,192 votes. More recently, he had 12,012 votes in 1995, 13,534 votes in 1999, 10,141 votes in 2003, and 8,291 votes in 2007. In four years, the B-D Boys’ base has eroded by half; in 12 years, by two-thirds.

“People finally rebelled at being told what to do,” said one excited worker at Sposato’s election-night party. “The ward is a mess. There’s condos and new houses mixed with bungalows. There’s vacancies on Belmont, North and Grand. Services are poor, and Rice thinks he’s doing you a favor if you get them, just like Banks.”

But the cleansing job is not done. “We need to get rid of Banks” as committeeman in 2012, he said, confident that Sposato will run. “I have not made a decision,” said Sposato.

“It was an anti-machine vote,” observed Sposato, readily admitting that April 5 was a referendum on the Banks-DeLeo-Rice cabal, and that he won because voters “didn’t want Rice.” February’s “ABR” vote declined from 7,277 to Sposato’s April total of 5,629, a drop of 1,648, or 23 percent. Sposato had over 70 percent in seven precincts, over 60 percent in 17, and over 50 percent in 17.

*          On a scale of 1 to 10, where one is defeat, 7  humiliation, and 10 abject repudiation, the Sposato victory ranks as a 13. The B-D Boys got their head handed to them, not just their hat. Banks, the council’s former zoning chairman, who had $729,304 in his campaign accounts as of Jan. 1, is now a political laughingstock. “He has all that money, all those workers, and he couldn’t even elect his guy,” sneered one Northwest Side committeeman. “How sad.”

*          A critical turning point was a March FOX News interview with onetime mobster Frank Calabrese Jr., who testified in the federal “Family Secrets” trial and wrote a book. In the interview, Calabrese said he was told to socialize with members of the 36th Ward Democratic Organization, not mentioning Rice. Sposato, at a press conference, called upon the U.S. Attorney to “launch an investigation into reported connections” of Rice and the organization to “members of organized crime.” He began a series of robo-calls.

Rice filed a slander and libel lawsuit, seeking a preliminary injunction to enjoin future robo-calls. The judge, stressing 1st Amendment freedom-of-speech protections in the political arena, denied the injunction, and the robo-calls continued. “I think I proved to the people that I’m a fighter, and that I won’t be intimidated,” said Sposato.

(Editor’s Note: Writer Stewart, an attorney, represented Sposato in the court case, but was not involved in Sposato’s campaign.)

*          Another turning-point was Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel’s non-involvement in the 36th Ward race, despite his endorsement of Rice. Money from pro-Emanuel committees flowed to his endorsees in the 38th and 50th wards, Tim Cullerton and Debra Silverstein, but not to Rice. Though the 36th Ward was awash in B-D Boys’ money, with DeLeo’s $503,734 nearly equaling Banks’ $729,304, Rice had only $4,955 as of Jan. 1, to Sposato’s $23,150. Rice had two mailings, and Sposato three.  The B-D Boys resisted  sharing their booty with Rice.

*          Rice’s arrogance and trust in his captains spelled his doom. In the 38th Ward, Cullerton spent $329.974 in attack mailings against Tom Caravette. In the primary, Cullerton – like Rice, an appointed alderman – finished first with 47.6 percent, getting a majority in 21 of 53 precincts in an 8-candidate field. Yet Cullerton went negative in the runoff, ripping Caravette as a “slumlord,” and benefiting from the infusion of Pat Levar’s 45th Ward precinct captains.

Unlike Rice, Cullerton insured that the runoff was not a referendum on him or the “Cullerton Dynasty,” which has ruled the ward for 76 of the past 78 years. He demonized the under-funded Caravette, who lacked the funds to respond, and won a blow-out 4,722-3,110 victory (60.3 percent), carrying 50 of the ward’s 53 precincts, with one tied.

            What truly sealed the deal in the 36th Ward was the “ABR” unity and absence of jealousy. They were allies, not rivals. They shared information and strategy, communicated regularly, and implicitly agreed that all would coalesce behind the runoff contender. They fulfilled their pledge. Biancalana, Motzy, Randazzo, and Mike Nardello, a Sposato ally who lost a state senate primary in 2008, will be future contenders for area state legislative and county commissioner seats, or for ward committeeman if Sposato passes.

            Rice’s defeat, coupled with the retirement of 41st Ward Alderman Brian Doherty, and the loss of his choice for successor, Maurita Gavin, signals the interment of the area’s 36th/38th/41st ward longtime “non-aggression pact.”

Usually, but not always, the B-D Boys cut a deal with the 41st Ward’s Doherty-McAuliffe Republican clique, whose allies are Elmwood Park’s Mayor Pete Silvestri, a county commissioner, and Skip Saviano, a state representative. Both Republicans are geographically and politically close to DeLeo and Banks. In 2010, however, the B-D Boys carried their ward 5,547-4,032 for John Mulroe (D) over Doherty in the race for DeLeo’s state senate seat.

*          With the B-D Boys gone, and without the North End Doherty-McAuliffe operation, Silvestri is at extreme risk. Biancalana will run against him in 2014; in 2006 she got 47.8 percent. State Representative Mike McAuliffe (R-20) has always run well in the 36th Ward, with Banks’ tacit help, and in his 41st Ward base, where he is the Republican committeeman. He is now at risk.

            Mulroe, from the 41st Ward, DeLeo’s choice for successor, and proved his mettle by helping his ally, 41st Ward Democratic Committeman Mary O’Connor, defeat Gavin.

            In the east end of Mulroe’s senate district, occupied by State Representative Joe Lyons (D-19), the incumbent’s 45th Ward base crumbled when his ally, Levar, was humiliated in his bid to elect Marina Faz-Huppert as his aldermanic successor.  Lyons’ vote to hike the state’s income tax makes him particularly vulnerable in 2012, especially against an anti-tax Democratic primary foe. If Lyons’s new district, after the 2011 remap, includes the 36th Ward, he is at risk.

            The Northwest Side now resembles a DMZ – a de-militarized zone. The troops are gone. The bases of Lyons and McAuliffe have vaporized. In this power vacuum, the triumphant Cullerton (38th Ward) and Mulroe-O’Connor (41st Ward) organizations loom large. In 2012, their priority will be to rescue Lyons and thwart the emergence of a “reform” machine outside of the 36th Ward.

            (Next week: An analysis of the 45th Ward aldermanic race.)

            E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his website at www.russstewart.com

       Justin Allen, 23,

       Brett Linley, 29,

       Matthew Weikert, 29,

       Justus Bartett, 27,

       Dave Santos, 21,

       Chase Stanley, 21

       Jesse Reed, 26,

       Matthew Johnson, 21,

       Zachary Fisher, 24,

       Brandon King, 23,

       Christopher Goeke, 23,

       Sheldon Tate, 27,

Just to be clear, that headline is not an April Fools Day joke, as the Illinois House of Representative’s is actually working on budget initiatives being sponsored jointly by House Speaker Madigan and House Minority Leader Cross.  All of the proposals are based on earlier legislation that was passed which set a $33.2 billion figure of available revenue to spend for the upcoming year.  That revenue estimate is conservative and will require significant cuts to state spending in order for us to balance spending with the available revenues.

This week the majority and minority House leaders jointly presented a number of budget bills to the legislature.  These initiatives actually start the appropriation process for state spending for FY 2012.  Among the proposals are measures to allow payment of Fiscal Year 2012 bond payments, public employee health insurance and the required payment to teacher’s pension systems.

This might not sound like a lot of progress or what many consider priority budget items, but this is a significant step forward from previous budget years.  Debt service payments, required pension payments and group health insurance are all costly items that have been ignored during recent budget years.  These are all costs that have contributed to our year-after-year reoccurring budget deficits.  By requiring these areas of the budget to be fully funded, it means that we are holding to our revenue projections and not spending more money than is available.  The costs for these items will total around $6 billion, meaning there will be a little over $27 billion in revenue to be spent amongst other state programs and payments.  That amount of available revenue to be divided between education, human services, public safety and other programs will necessitate real spending reductions to current programs and services.

Also passed this week was legislation that will require any revenue the state receives above the $33.2 billion dollar figure to be put toward our estimated $6 billion in unpaid bills.  This is common sense and should happen anyway, but by legislating it we will ensure that no new spending is coming before our prior obligations.

Ironically, all of this budget action came at the same time that Governor Pat Quinn was criticizing other governors throughout the country for their own budget cutting maneuvers.  When asked about numerous Republican and Democrat governors’ tactics of making substantial cuts to spending, Quinn called their actions “just plain wrong.”  I wish I could say that was an April Fools Day joke, but here in Illinois, a state with one of the worst budget deficits in the nation, we have a Governor who doesn’t think that state government needs to downsize and stop spending more money than is available.      

Caterpillar Letter Should Be a Wake-up Call to Democrat Leaders

This week, those at the helm of state government got a stark reminder of how bad the business climate in Illinois has become.  Caterpillar’s chief executive sent a stern, but fair, warning to Governor Quinn that the state of Illinois needs to change its hostile business attitude or potentially face an exodus of vital employers.

At stake here is not only the 23,000 jobs employed by Caterpillar, but the hundreds of thousands of jobs provided by large and small businesses alike throughout Illinois.  From corporate giants such as Caterpillar to the mom and pop small businesses scattered around the state, all share a common threat that the anti-business policies forced upon them from Springfield are jeopardizing their ability to remain profitable and provide good paying jobs for the citizens of Illinois.

Recent tax hikes, complete lack of reforms to our costly workers’ compensation system and continued budget uncertainty all add up to an unfriendly, unstable business climate here in Illinois.  It is disappointing that it takes a serious threat from one of Illinois’ largest private employers for those leading the state to take a serious look at these problems.

Caterpillar is one of the largest private industries in the state and a world business leader.  The loss of this economic engine in Illinois would be devastating.  We are surrounded by states that happen to have much more stable budget situations and drastically lower workers’ compensation rates. On the other hand, Illinois has the third highest workers’ comp rates in the U.S., just passed a 66% income tax hike and continues to be mired in a multi-billion dollar budget deficit.  These facts alone show why Caterpillar and other businesses are being courted to leave the Land of Lincoln for alternative locations which reward job-providers instead of punishing them.

It is my hope that the Governor and Democrat majorities realize that this letter from Caterpillar should serve as a wake-up call not to be ignored.  When a doctor recommends you go see a specialist, it is best to take the advice of that medical professional.  When one of the most successful and profitable corporations in the world offers its expertise and advice to improve our business climate, that call to action needs to be taken seriously.

Caterpillar should be commended for standing up and opening dialogue on the severe problems our state is facing in attracting and retaining businesses.  It certainly shouldn’t have to come to this, but if it takes one of the worlds’ most prestigious and profitable businesses to jump start pro-job policy changes, then we need to act with urgency to make those changes a reality.

The first in a series of public hearings on the state’s redistricting process began on Monday, March 28. Dozens of citizens, special interest groups, and media representatives crowded into the Michael A. Bilandic Building in downtown Chicago, where witnesses offered testimony, insight and suggestions intended to assist lawmakers in the drawing of state legislative and congressional districts.

Testimony from ethnic and racial minority groups dominated the hearing, with representatives repeatedly stressing the importance of keeping minority communities together. The scheduling of additional hearings was also a prominent theme throughout the day, as a majority of witnesses urged the Committee to schedule additional hearings throughout the state. Many witnesses also asked lawmakers to make available a draft map for public consideration prior to a legislative vote.

On the question of racial and ethnic group representation, witnesses explained they believe the persistent fragmentation of certain demographic groups during the remap process has resulted in a dilution of the population. As a result, witnesses said these communities have been perpetually unable to elect a favored candidate; leading to what they say is under-representation at all levels of government. Witnesses said that making a greater effort to keep these communities together would increase lawmakers’ accountability to their constituency and more successfully advance the community’s voice in Springfield.

Witnesses also said that keeping communities together would reduce confusion within the voting population. A number of community and special interest representatives testified that the concentration of different lawmakers in these relatively small areas, coupled with language and cultural obstacles, leads to uncertainty by citizens who don’t know what district they live in, or which lawmakers to go to for assistance.

Additional hearings across the state were strongly supported by witness testimony. Senate Republicans have long called for more public remap hearings, appealing to the Senate Redistricting Committee Chairman Kwame Raoul to hold additional meetings. Currently, five hearings have been announced, including Monday’s meeting, but none has been scheduled in southern Illinois, in the metropolitan area near St. Louis or in any of the suburban collar counties around Chicago.

In response to witness suggestions and inquiries, Committee Chairman Raoul indicated the likelihood that additional hearings would be scheduled. He also expressed intentions to make public a draft map for review prior to a legislative vote.

Last year, Senate Republicans worked closely with taxpayer watchdog groups in pushing for a public review of a potential map before consideration by lawmakers. Though their efforts were unsuccessful, the top Republican on the Senate Redistricting Committee, Sen. Dale Righter (Mattoon) encouraged the public to demand even more involvement in the remap process, and asked they keep in mind two things:

“One, you should insist on having just as many, if not more, substantive hearings on the map that actually comes out as a product, or voted out by the General Assembly, as you have hearings before without having seen any lines,” said Righter. “Two, you should insist on knowing exactly, specifically, what criteria were used in drawing that map that we will see later.”

This year the public has been invited to submit potential maps to lawmakers for consideration. Many organizations at the hearing indicated they would be submitting their own maps for legislator review. At the suggestion of citizen testimony, the Committee Chairman indicated intentions to make map-drawing equipment and technology available to the general public so that they too could draft and submit a legislative map.

The second redistricting hearing will be held on April 6 in Springfield.

A leaked private letter from Caterpillar, Inc., to Governor Pat Quinn about Illinois' poor business climate is raising concerns among state officials, including Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk.  

The Peoria Journal Star reported March 25 that the chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Doug Oberhelman, had sent the Governor a private letter discussing Illinois's massive income tax increase and its effect on the company's ability to remain profitable in Illinois. (Note, if your e-mail client or browser does not display videos, click here to go to video from Fox News Chicago and here to go to Video from ABC-7 Chicago)

Radogno has been an outspoken proponent of improving the state's jobs climate and reforming the workers' compensation system – long cited by Illinois employers as one of the most serious and costly problems facing business in the state.

"Even if Caterpillar decides to stay here, the very fact that they wrote the letter means that there are hundreds of other companies being wooed as well, and we need to pay attention to our jobs climate," Radogno said.

"I think Governor Quinn has made a serious error here, and we will see the potential departure of major employers like Caterpillar because of mistakes Governor Quinn has made," said U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.

The letter was not intended for public release, but rather as a request to discuss steps that could help make Illinois more attractive to employers.

Caterpillar Wooed to Leave State; Quinn and CEO to Meet: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

But, Governor Quinn's first comments appeared to dismiss the company's concerns.

Quinn told one Chicago television station "Caterpillar's not leaving Illinois," and then appeared to lecture the employer on another station, saying, "they have to understand we need good education in our schools, and that means investing in our schools."

Quinn's response was reminiscent of similarly dismissive comments the Governor made after Illinois Senate Republicans unveiled a budget outline that would help avoid a $22 billion deficit within five years. Quinn told reporters at the time, "I'm not listening to them."

Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away.  If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations.  Then, we'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings.  If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tats and piercings, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing.  Ever live in a military barracks? You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair. Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried..  If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job.  It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you.  We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the “common good.”

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary.  If you want our money, accept our rules.  Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices.  The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

Alfred W. Evans, Gatesville , TX

AND while you are on Government subsistence, you no longer can VOTE!  Yes, that is correct.  For you to vote would be a conflict of interest.  You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Government welfare check.  If you want to vote, then get a job.
<Snagged by>
Ross
PROUD father of an American Soldier

Dim lights

ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART

            Bring on a phalanx of Port-A-Potties. Deposit one on every street corner in the 45th Ward. Given the odiferous nuggets of negativity gushing from the campaigns – and mouths – of aldermanic candidates John Garrido and John Arena, appropriate waste product receptacles are urgently required.

            Both candidates agree on one premise: Their opponent is a liar, a fraud, a partisan, is utterly unqualified, devoid of integrity, and will visit a Biblical plague of locusts upon the 45th Ward if elected. But, to their eternal credit, neither has yet accused the other of being a leper, lecher or serial killer.

According to Arena, a graphic designer and self-proclaimed “Obama Democrat,” Garrido, as asserted by a recent mailer, is the insidious advocate of “Republican ideas,” an apostle of such reprehensible Republicans as George Bush, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Dick Cheney and Bill Brady, and will be a “partisan Republican alderman.” Plus, added Arena, a “tough cop” is not needed in a ward with the “lowest crime in the city.”

“This is a Democratic ward, and it should have a Democratic alderman,” argued Arena.

According to Garrido, a Chicago police lieutenant who portrays himself as an “independent” even though he sought office in 2010 as a Republican, Arena is a utopian dreamer with a flawed concept of job-creation, no supervisory or leadership skills, the beneficiary of “over $100,000 in union money” for mailings and cable TV ads, and a “record of failure” as a community leader in Portage Park. Plus, adds Garrido, Arena is “maliciously and intentionally misrepresenting my record.”

            “The (45th) ward rejected the unions’ ‘sweetheart’ on Feb. 22. It will do so again on April 5,” asserted Garrido, who added that he is “the only union member” in the race.

            Marina Faz-Huppert, a union lobbyist and recipient of nearly $200,000 in union funding, finished a humiliating third in the primary, gaining just 19.5 percent of the vote. Alderman Pat Levar, first elected in 1987, who is ward Democratic committeeman, abruptly retired last November for health reasons, and plucked Faz-Huppert from obscurity as his candidate.

            The Feb. 22 turnout was 15,864. In a field of eight candidates, Garrido, from Gladstone Park, finished first with 5,138 votes (32.4 percent). Arena, from Portage Park, was second with 3,595 votes (22.7 percent), edging Faz-Huppert, who had 3,092 votes, by 503 votes. Losers Mike Ward (1,650 votes), Don Blair (972) and Bruno Bellissimo (216) have endorsed Garrido. Anna Klocek (1,201) made no endorsement, and will run for state representative in 2012 as an independent.

In the mayoral race, Rahm Emanuel, supported by the Levar Organization, carried the ward 8,223-6,036 (51.2 percent) over Gery Chico, the more conservative, anti-establishment candidate. Emanuel has made no runoff endorsement in the 45th Ward.

Here are the “factors” which will decide the runoff:

* Base expansion: In the ward’s 53 precincts, Garrido finished first in 33, and had an outright majority in three. He had 40-50 percent in ten, 30-40 percent in 20, 20-30 percent in 13, and under 20 percent in seven. Arena was first in 13, with a majority only in his home precinct. He had 40-50 percent in four, 30-40 percent in seven, 20-30 percent in 17, and under 20 percent in 24.

Faz-Huppert, despite the unions’ money and at least 15 mailings, won a plurality in just seven precincts, exceeding 30 percent in five. She got 13.9 percent in her home precinct, 34.4 percent in Levar’s home precinct, and 32.2 percent in State Representative Joe Lyons’ precinct (where Garrido lives). “Dismal” is a charitable description of the 45th Ward Democrats’ performance.

The line of demarcation in the runoff is Lawrence Avenue. In the 17 precincts south of Lawrence, which cast about 35 percent of the ward’s vote, Arena won 11, Faz-Huppert four, and Garrido two. In the 36 precincts north of Lawrence, which cast about 65 percent of the vote, Garrido won 31, Arena two, and Faz-Huppert three.

Overall, Garrido won 38 percent in his north-of-Lawrence base (Gladstone Park, north Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, Edgebrook), topping Arena 4,082-1,977 in those precincts. Arena won 32 percent in his Portage Park/south Jefferson Park base, topping Garrido 1,618-1,056. Garrido got 20 percent in Arena’s base, and Arena got 18 percent in Garrido’s base.

            To win, Arena needs 60 percent of the south-of-Lawrence vote (a 900-vote margin), and 45 percent in the northland (an 850-vote loss). To win, Garrido needs over 55 percent of the north-of-Lawrence vote, and over 40 percent in the southland.

            Turnout will drop by 20 percent, to 13,000 on April 5. If Garrido and Arena  motivate 90 percent of their base, that puts the race at 4,650-3,250, with 5,100 votes in play. The magic number is 6,600. Arena needs 3,350 (66 percent) and Garrido 1,950 (38 percent) of those 5,100 votes.

And the only way Arena can prevail is to re-define, demonize and discredit Garrido – on character, issues, or political affiliation.

* Partisanship: Arena’s blithe and superficial presumption that the 45th is a “Democratic ward” is egregiously wrong. As of 2011, the ward had 31,559 registered voters. In the 2010 primary, 8,228 took a Democratic ballot, and 1,879 a Republican; over 21,000 didn’t vote. In the 2008 primary, featuring the titanic Obama-Clinton presidential battle, 13,168 took a Democratic ballot, and 1,937 a Republican; over 16,000 didn’t vote. In actuality, depending on the year, 60-70 percent of the 45th Ward’s voters do not participate in Democratic primaries, which makes it a non-Democratic ward.

But it did vote 15,509-7,266 for Obama over McCain in 2008, and 9,032-5,433 for Quinn over Brady for governor in 2010. The vote for those Democrats was a third to half of the ward’s registered vote.

“I vote Democratic” in elections, insisted Arena, who refused to disclose if or how he voted in any past Democratic primaries. “I am an anti-Organization Democrat,” he said, adding that Obama was the “best choice” in 2008 “and I strill support him.” Arena claims he voted for Republicans, but declined to name them. “This election is not about my voting history,” Arena fumed hypocritically.

Yet mailings unleashed by the SEIU Illinois Council PAC on Arena’s behalf are all about partisanship – i.e., excoriating Garrido as a “Republican,” a supporter of Bush’s “failed economic policies,” plus “standing with Republican friends who want to take away collective bargaining rights of most public employees,” and “supporting privatization” and “taking contributions from the company that got the parking meter deal.”

 “An absolute lie,” retorted Garrido. “I am a public employee. I am a member of the (Federation of Police) union. I oppose any denial of collective bargaining rights. I oppose any city privatization.” And, Garrido adds, “I have voted in three Democratic primaries” – 2004, 2006 and 2008 – “and one Republican primary” (2010). “I am the independent. He (Arena) is the partisan Democrat.”

* Union money: Expect a postal deluge, Garrido warns. “The SEIU and Chicago unions are going to spend $35,000 per week on negative mailers and attack TV ads in the three weeks before the election,” charged Garrido. Two negative mailers were delivered during the March 14-18 period.

I asked Arena: Does that make you the unions’ new “sweetheart”? “Absolutely not,” he responded. “You don’t understand separation. Those are not my (mailing) pieces or ads. I had no control or input. He (Garrido) has an integrity problem. Last year, he was for privatization and against unions. They (the unions) don’t want him to win.”

What about the $22,500 received in union contributions during the week of March 18? “They gave me the money to spend as I see fit,” said Arena. “I am not beholden to them.” What about the unions’ $646-per-week in-kind payment for your “volunteer co-ordinator”? “They want to help me,” he replied.

* Experience. Although a police officer for 20 years, Arena said Garrido’s credentials are “shallow. He works outside the ward. He has not been active in the community.” Non-sense, retorts Garrido: “I have supervisory experience. I have 30 people under my command. I have leadership skills.”

“I have 10 years of community service,” rebutted Arena, who was vice-president of the Portage Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA). “And look at it (Portage Park). It’s a commercial disaster area,” charged Garrido. “Empty storefronts everywhere. He’s been a failure.”

* Social issues: Garrido is culturally conservative, supports the death penalty, gun ownership, and abortion restrictions with exceptions. Arena is socially liberal, backs gun control, abortion rights, and opposes the death penalty.

            My prediction: Arena has the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times endorsements, and union money will allow him to stay negative on Garrido. The key is the Faz-Huppert vote -- people in Levar’s precinct captains’ pockets, who trade their vote for a garbage can or a favor. If half those 3,092 break for Garrido, he wins. In a turnout of 12,900, Garrido beats Arena by 6,800-6,100.

10.) You take a week off to protest in Wisconsin and your office runs better.

9.) On a snow day when they say "non-essential" people should stay home you know who they mean.

8.) You get paid twice as much as a private sector person doing the same job but make up the difference by doing half as much work.

7.) It takes longer to fire you than the average killer spends on death row.

6.) The worse you do your job, the more your boss avoids you.

5.) You think the French are working themselves to death.

4.) You know by having a copy of the Holy Koran on your desk your job is 100% safe..

3.) You spend more time at protest marches than at church.

2.) You have a Democratic congressman's lips permanently attached to your butt.

1.) You pay more in union dues than you do for your healthcare insurance. 

(Roger Keats was the Republican Nominee for Cook County Board President)

As we leave Illinois for good, I wanted to say goodbye to my friends and wish all of you well.  I am a lifelong son of the heartland and proud of it.  After 60 years, I leave Illinois with a heavy heart.  BUT enough is enough!  The leaders of Illinois refuse to see we can’t continue going in the direction we are and expect people who have options to stay here.  I remember when Illinois had 25 congressmen.  In 2012 we will have 18.  Compared to the rest of the country we have lost 1/4rd of our population.  Don’t blame the weather, because I love 4 seasons.

Illinois just sold still more bonds and our credit rating is so bad we pay higher interest rates than junk bonds! Junk Bonds!  Illinois is ranked 50^th for fiscal policy; 47^th in job creation; 1^st in unfunded pension liabilities; 2^nd largest budget deficit; 1^st in failing schools; 1^st in bonded indebtedness; highest sales tax in the nation; most judges indicted (Operations Greylord and Gambat); and 5 of our last 9 elected governors have been indicted.  That is more than the other 49 states added together!  Then add 32 Chicago Aldermen and (according to the Chicago Tribune) over 1000 state and municipal employees indicted.  The corruption tax is a real cost of doing business.  We are the butt of jokes for stand up comics.

We live in the most corrupt big city, in the most corrupt big county in the most corrupt state in America.  I am sick and tired of subsidizing crooks.  A day rarely passes without an article about the corruption and incompetence.  Chicago even got caught rigging the tests to hire police and fire!  Our Crook County CORPORATE property tax system is intentionally corrupt.  The Democrat State Chairman who is also the Speaker of the Illinois House and the most senior alderman in Chicago each make well over a million dollars a year putting the fix in for their client’s tax assessments.

We are moving to Texas where there is no income tax while Illinois’ just went up 67%.  Texas’ sales tax is ½ of ours, which is the highest in the nation.  Southern states are supportive of job producers, tax payers and folks who offer opportunities to their residents.  Illinois shakes them down for every penny that can be extorted from them.

In The Hill Country of Texas (near Austin and San Antonio) we bought a gracious home on almost 2 acres with a swimming pool.  It is new, will cost us around 40% of what our home in Wilmette just sold for and the property taxes are 1/3^rd of what they are here.  Crook County’s property tax system is a disaster: Wilmette homes near ours sell for 50% more and their property taxes are ½ of ours.  Our assessed home value was 50% higher than the sales price.  The system is unfair and incompetent.

Our home value is down 40%, our property taxes are up 20% and our local schools have still another referendum on the ballot to increase taxes over 20% in one year.  I could go on, but enough is enough.  I feel as if we are standing on the deck of the Titanic and I can see the icebergs right in front of us.  I will miss our friends a great deal.  I have called Illinois home for essentially my entire life.  But it is time to go where there is honest, competent and cost

effective government.  We have chosen to vote with our feet and our wallets.  My best to all of you and Good luck!

On every third Wednesday in March Illinois' House and Senate are required to adopt a joint resolution that is equivalent to a family deciding how much it will have available to spend in next year's budget.  The day was yesterday, March 16, and just like the past three years the legislators blatantly ignored the law.

"This law is in place because only after understanding your funds available can you decide how much to spend," asserted Sheila Weinberg, founder & CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting.  "This is the first step in budgeting.   Our legislators need to follow this law and take Budgeting 101."

The Illinois Constitution provides that the general assembly can only spend the "funds estimated to be available" for the budget year.   State statute 25ILCS 155/4 requires the Commission on Government Finance and Accountability (CGFA) to submit to the legislature an estimate of that amount.  The House and Senate may debate the accuracy of the CGFA figure, but the legislators must adopt some estimate of the funds available to be spend in the fiscal year 2012. 

"Disregard for this law helps explains why Illinois is in such financial trouble," remarked Roger Nelson, chairman of the Institute and former vice chair of Ernst & Young.  "The law requiring the legislators to acknowledge the amount of funds they will have available to spend is there for good reason.  Without it the legislators cannot determine if they are meeting the balanced budget requirement."

Legislation to terminate the controversial General Assembly Scholarship Program in Illinois was derailed Thursday when a key legislative committee negated the bill by replacing the language to state that legislators could simply choose to opt out of providing tuition waivers to Illinois? state-funded colleges and universities.

I was the sponsor of the original bill and I view the addition of this unnecessary amendment as the creation of an obstacle to hearing my legislation. Legislators already have the ability to opt out of the tuition waiver program and in fact last year 28 lawmakers did.

Last year 21 State Representatives and seven Senators did not participate in the General Assembly Scholarship Program, but in spite of their decisions not to participate, $13,931,500 in tuition waivers were provided to 1,487 students for this current year. I?m incredibly disappointed that the majority of the members of the House are not looking for opportunities to save our higher education institutions and, therefore, our students any money. The costs associated with these waivers will continue to be passed along to other students and families through tuition increases.

When I filed the bill in January I cited a need for fiscal responsibility and higher ethical standards for Illinois policymakers. I still believe very strongly that we can no longer afford to offer these waivers. In addition to the financial burden we are placing on these institutions of higher learning, the manner in which the waivers are distributed is very arbitrary- there is no standardized method in place for how they are awarded.

In a separate bill related to accountability at institutions of higher education, I successfully passed language for House Bill 3219 on Wednesday that would increase oversight over colleges and universities that receive state funding. The provisions of House Bill 3219 would require each college or university to submit to the Board of Higher Education an annual report each year outlining any tuition increases for the upcoming academic year and listing the closure of academic programs and other cost-saving measures undertaken by the university during the previous fiscal year. The bill also would require the Board of Higher Education to publicize the reports on its website and provide an opportunity for public comment on the reports.

These additional layers of oversight will improve transparency a great deal. Its important that we are able to see exactly what steps these institutions are taking to try to control costs.

ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART

            A creative lawyer, some years ago, employed a “Twinkie Defense” to explain his client’s felonious behavior. Too much junk food, he argued, upset the perp’s dopamine balance, clouded his judgment, and involuntarily precipitated deranged behavior.

            In Chicago’s 38th, 36th and 50th wards, where aldermanic runoffs are set for April 5, a “Twinkie Offense” is boosting the candidacies of appointed incumbents Tim Cullerton (38th) and John Rice (36th), and challenger Debra Silverstein (50th).  Non-deranged voters are gravitating toward the “comfort candidate.” Given a choice, they prefer the Twinkie over acid reflux.

Cullerton, Rice and Silverstein are endorsed by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel.

            The three wards are a microcosm of what ails Chicago. People are scared and angry. Their home values have collapsed by up to half. They can’t bail because their house is unsellable. State income and property taxes are soaring. The local business district is decrepit. Crime seems rampant. Jobs are tenuous and, if lost, irreplaceable. College costs are ludicrous.

            What to do? Go postal? Go bankrupt? Go into hibernation? Lay in a supply of Jim Beam? Or, the least arduous, indulge in an orgy of junk food?

            “Comfort food” – or Twinkies – explains why Cullerton and Rice will be   runoff winners. In tough times, voters prefer the predictable taste of a Big Mac over more digestively-challenging fare like sushi or foie gras. Cullerton, with his family history, is reassuring and comforting. Rice, anointed by former Alderman Bill Banks, is similarly perceived as safe.

            “I really thought (38th Ward) voters wanted a change,” said one bitter loser. “Instead, they wanted a crutch. They want to return to the ward’s ‘Golden Years.’ And who better than a Cullerton to lead them back to the future?”

            But “a majority of the (36th) ward’s voters rejected Rice and Banks,” countered Nicholas Sposato, a firefighter who made the runoff. They “want change.” In the 38th Ward, realtor Tom Caravette, Cullerton’s runoff foe, insists “it’s time to take back the ward. Eighty years of the Cullertons is enough.”

            The West Rogers Park 50th Ward is also a microcosm of the Third World, with half the voters Jewish, a fifth gentile, and major population growth coming from Muslims, Asian Indians and Pakistanis, and Asians. Throughout his 38-year tenure, the crotchety and cantankerous Stone, age 83, has been the antithesis of comfort food. He’s the equivalent of an irritable bowel syndrome in a ward where voters crave Metamucil.

            “Berny (Stone) is a used-up man,” opined one prominent Lakefront Jewish liberal who supported the alderman in the past. “He’s used-up his goodwill, his money, and his resources.” In 2007, Stone got 5,059 votes (48.3 percent) in the primary, and 6,015 votes (53.1 percent) in the runoff. On Feb. 22, he got 4,295 votes (37.5 percent) – 764 votes less than in 2007. In the 2007 runoff, against a Filipino, Jews coalesced behind Stone. “Not this time,” added the politician, “those who didn’t vote for Berny will vote for Silverstein.”

            It is said that there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. The latter trumps the former.

            In the 38th Ward, Cullerton -- the son, brother-in-law and nephew of Cullerton Clan aldermen -- finished first in 51 of 53 precincts, and in an 8-candidate field won a majority in 24 precincts. He got more than 60 percent in 5 precincts, 50-60 percent in 19 precincts, 40-50 percent in 17 precincts, and 30-40 percent in 10 precincts. Caravette won no precincts, got over 40 percent in one, 30-40 percent in 8, and 20-30 percent in 22. 

            Cullerton had 5,623 votes (47.6 percent), to Caravette’s 2,705 (22.1 percent). Had Cullerton an additional 292 votes, he would have won. Runoff turnout will drop by 20-25 percent, from 12,228 to 9,000. To win, Caravette needs to keep Cullerton under 4,500 votes, reprise his 2,702 primary votes, and get 2,000 of the 3,700 other non-Cullerton vote to the polls and to back him.

            In the 36th Ward, Rice – Banks’ former driver – finished first in 52 of 55 precincts and, in a 6-candidate field, won a majority in 25 precincts. He got more than 60 percent in 8 precincts, 50-60 percent in 17, and 40-50 percent in 19. The runner-up, Sposato, won two precincts, but has been endorsed by all the losers.

            Rice had 6,743 votes (48.1 percent), to Sposato’s 3,360 (24 percent). Had Rice an additional 268 votes, he would have won. Runoff turnout will drop from 14,020 to 10,000. To win, Sposato needs to keep Rice under 5,000, reprise his 3,360 primary votes, and get 1,700 of the other non-Rice voter to back him.

            In the 50th Ward, the shoot-from-the-mouth Stone, who has shown unaccustomed restraint by merely deriding Silverstein as a “housewife,” finished first in 26 of 45 precincts, and tied Silverstein in one; he won a majority in seven precincts. Stone won over 60 percent in three Winston Towers condo precincts, 50-60 percent in five, and 40-50 percent in 15 precincts. But, in a 5-candidate field, the controversial incumbent got under 40 percent in 22 precincts – an ominous sign.

            Stone had 4,295 votes (37.5 percent), to Silverstein’s 3,856 (33.7 percent), Greg Brewer’s 2,154 (18.8), and 1,155 for two others. Stone missed an outright win by 1,436 votes. Emanuel got 7,212 votes (55.3 percent) in the ward, about 1,400 votes less than the three Jewish aldermanic candidates. Brewer, the gentile liberal endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, amassed 30 percent or more in 9 precincts, and won three.

In 2007, runoff turnout was 11,325. It was 11,460 on Feb. 22. To win, Stone needs to reprise his 4,295 votes, and gain 1,700 votes from the 3,309 cast for Brewer, Mike Moses and Ahmed Khan. Silverstein is the last anti-Stone candidate standing.

 Here’s my predictions:

            38th Ward (Portage Park, Belmont-Cragin, Schorsch Village, Dunham Park, and Old Irving): Tom Allen, Cullerton’s brother-in-law, resigned to become a judge in December. Unlike colleague Pat Levar in the 45th Ward, who suffered from voter fatigue and disconnect, and quit, Allen could have won if he ran. He was unopposed in 2007 (7,335 votes), won with 89 percent (7,024 votes) in 2003, and was unopposed in 1999 (12,021 votes). Cullerton’s base is 1,500 less than Allen’s.

“Allen was more show than substance,” sniped Caravette. “He spent most of his time practicing law, not solving ward problems. There has been no leadership, poor services, and Cullerton will be a rubber-stamp” in the council. Caravette is especially irked by Emanuel, who won the ward 6,658-4,174 (53.6 percent) over Gery Chico, with 1,581 for the rest. “He’s a hypocrite. He says he’s the ‘reform mayor.’ I’m the ‘reform’ candidate for alderman. He (Cullerton) is the do-nothing, anti-reform, status quo.”

On Feb. 22, Cullerton had 4-plus workers at every polling place, handing out palm cards touting Cullerton’s Chicago Tribune endorsement. Most were union workers paid for their services. Cullerton spent $80,000, and had ten mailers. Caravette spent $12,000. If elected, Caravette promised to run for ward Democratic committeeman in 2012 against Patti Jo Cullerton, Tim’s sister. “My goal,” he said, is a “Cullerton-free ward.”  Prediction: Caravette is sushi to Cullerton’s Twinkie; he loses with 39 percent.

            36^th Ward (Galewood, Montclare, Cumberland corridor): “There’s always been an intimidation factor” in the ward, observed Sposato, who got 2,595 votes (24 percent) in 2007, upping it to 3,360. “If you don’t vote like you’re told” by Banks’ precinct captains, “you don’t get a city service or favor when you need it.”

            In the mayor’s race, Emanuel won by 7,194-5,319 (50.1 percent) over Chico, with 1,846 for the rest; Rice had 6,743 votes to his opponents’ 7,277. Banks had 8,291 votes in 2007 and 10,141 in 2003.There is a growing disconnect.

Prediction: You can’t beat the Pillsbury Doughboy in 2011. Rice wins with 58 percent. By 2015, Rice’s “Twinkie Offense” will be stale and his record inedible. Then he loses.

            50th Ward (West Rogers Park): Emanuel endorsed Silverstein, wife of State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-8). The election of Chicago’s first Jewish mayor has engendered “tremendous Jewish pride,” said the politician. Jewish voters, “cannot trust Stone to support Emanuel,” but they “can trust Silverstein.”

Wait a minute: Didn’t 44.7 percent of the ward not vote for Emanuel?

Maybe they want an independent-minded alderman, not an Emanuel stooge. Stone, however, is a close-minded alderman.

Stone will trot out a bunch of tired shibboleths: That “slum landlords” are funding Silverstein. That Silverstein wants to raise property taxes to fund city pensions. That an alderman and senator in one family is too much power. That the Silversteins are “Obama Democrats” and insufficiently pro-Israel.

Two Republican candidates will be in a run off election for the Chicago City Council on April 5th.  John Garrido is running for the seat in the 45th Ward.  Maurita Gavin is running for the seat in the 41st Ward.  Both are running strong, viable, and sustainable campaigns.  Both candidates have a very good chance of winning their elections.  If they win, for the first time in over three decades, Chicago will have two Republicans on the Chicago City Council.

John Garrido is a Chicago Police Lieutenant and an attorney.  Maurita Gavin is a long time GOP operative.  John and Maurita have the background and experience to solve Chicago's myriad problems.  They bring a fresh set of eyes and a reform outlook to a moribund system of business as usual in Chicago.

It is time to show Chicago a two party system is alive and well.  Republicans need to band together and push our candidates to the winners circle.  The time is now.  We cannot wair four more years or four more decades.  Please help us in our efforts to send these candidates to the City Council.

Their victories will send a bold and historic message to the Democratic Machine:

• There is a two party system in Chicago. 
• The GOP is ready to battle the entrenched Demcoratic Machine.
• It is time to reform Chicago Politics.

These Candidates need your help get elected.  They need workers and money.  Please go to their websites below to donate or volunteer now . 

John Garrido

Maurita Gavin
 

Eloise Gerson
Chairman Chicago Republican Party

Time and Date:

Mar 14 2011 11:30am - 1:30pm

Location:

Mid-America Club

200 E. Randolph, 80th Floor

Chicago, IL 60601 Map It

About Governor Haley Barbour - The Need for Economic Growth and Job Creation

In his seventh year as Governor, Haley Barbour has maintained his focus on making Mississippi a better place to live, work and play through strong support of job creation, schools, health care, energy, safer communities and stronger families.

And his approach is producing results: a 27 percent increase in per capita personal income from 2003 to 2009; significant civil justice reform and prudent management of the state health care program. Gov. Barbour remains committed to long-term economic success for Mississippi by supporting innovative manufacturing techniques and welcoming a variety of energy projects to ensure the state stands ready to meet America’s
energy needs.

Governor Barbour's first election in 2003 marked the largest voter turnout in Mississippi gubernatorial history, and he was reelected in 2007 with 58.2 percent of the vote. The Yazoo City, Mississippi, native is married to his wife of 39 years, Marsha. They have two sons and four grandchildren.  

About the Chicagoland Chamber’s Political Action Committee
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee collects contributions for state and local political activities. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
Agenda
11:30 - Noon: Registration
Noon - 1:00pm: Luncheon & Presentation
1:00pm-1:30pm: Q&A

Download a Registration Form

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsorship includes VIP seating, recognition in the program and admittance into the Sponsor Reception. 

Registration for this event closes at 3pm on March 11, space permitting. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made by March 8. Registration can only be guaranteed with pre-payment. Registrations are non-refundable.

Job Creating Legislation to Boost Aerospace Industry

This week, I was able to pass House Bill 1100 out of the Illinois House.  The legislation will create the Aerospace Competitiveness Act by forming the Illinois Council on Aerospace.  The intention of the Council will be to coordinate between public and private bodies, including Higher Education facilities and the aerospace industry, in order to promote policies and incentives to grow and attract aerospace businesses and jobs.

The Illinois Council on Aerospace will advise the Governor and General Assembly on ideas to strengthen the aerospace industry and integrate training and education with research and development technologies to promote the vast aerospace industry.

Rockford and the surrounding areas are well positioned to capitalize on growing aerospace industries in Illinois and throughout the country.  This is an industry which will see continued growth and innovation providing new jobs now and in the future.

By utilizing state, local and private resources, Rockford and other leading aerospace areas in Illinois can become a world leader in the design and manufacturing of aircraft and aerospace technology.

Quinn Abolishes Death Penalty

On Wednesday, Governor Quinn signed legislation that will officially take away the possibility of sentencing the most heinous offenders to death.  While ending capital punishment in Illinois, Quinn also commuted the sentences of 15 convicted offenders on death row to life in prison.

I remain a supporter of the death penalty for the most extreme, brutal offenders.  Prosecutors have repeatedly expressed the usefulness of the death penalty during investigations and as a deterrent to gruesome crimes.  There have also been quite a few reforms put in place in recent years which help to ensure only those responsible for committing such crimes face the ultimate penalty.

What bothers me most is how the victim’s families and loved ones will feel about this decision.  News reports suggested that Governor Quinn did not consult with the families that were victimized by the 15 offenders who are still on death row before making this decision.  Those families have paid the ultimate price and deserve to have their opinions heard on such an emotional issue.

Audit of Workers’ Compensation System

In bipartisan fashion, the Illinois House passed House Resolution 131 on Thursday.  The legislation will direct the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of the Workers’ Compensation program for state employees, reviewing settlements and an analysis of potential fraud over the previous four years.

Recent investigation by an Illinois newspaper found that $10 million in taxpayer funds has been awarded to 230 employees at the Menard Correctional Center since 2008 alone.  It was also found that 25% of the arbitrators employed by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission have actually received their own workers’ compensation awards.  One of these arbitrators just so happens to be the very person who approved many of the workers’ compensation settlements for the guards at Menard Correctional Center.  Most of these settlements were never contested and the claims were never made public because they were not entered into the Workers’ Compensation Database, as required.

It is no secret that Illinois’ workers’ compensation system is one of the worst, most fraudulent in the nation.  This is a small step toward reforming the system for public employees, but we must go further and institute top to bottom reforms of the entire workers’ compensation system for Illinois businesses as well.

Until next week,

Dave

Lower Gas Prices
End the Boutique Fuels Rule?

Gasoline prices are up 50 cents per gallon just this month, now averaging $3.65 in Illinois. Why are prices so high?

While much of the price rise is caused by instability in Libya, another cause is an obscure federal rule that mandates little gasoline monopolies in Chicagoland and Metro East, called the “Boutique Fuels Rule.”   

The federal government divides the nation’s gasoline market into 17 separate zones, each with their own recipe for gasoline.  While we can buy regular gasoline in Peoria, only “N RFG with Ethanol” is available in Chicago and in Metro East, we can only buy “7.2 RVP” gas.  If one region runs short, it cannot borrow from another region – is it any wonder that gas costs 10 cents less per gallon in Green Bay?

Boutique Fuel Federal Zones

This map illustrates the isolated pockets of the country where the federal government mandates the use of the complicated boutique fuel rule.  This balkanization of fuel distribution leads to supply problems and high prices. Conversely, some say the regulation is necessary for compliance with the Clean Air Act.  

Should the government waive and eventually eliminate the boutique fuels rule?

•  Yes
•  No
•  Don't know

I will send you the results, and more information, in response.  Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.  Please feel free to contact me at (312) 886-3506 or online at kirk.senate.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the federal government. 

It is an honor to serve you in the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Mark Kirk

U.S. Senate

The biggest myth about labor unions is that unions are for the workers. Unions are for unions, just as corporations are for corporations and politicians are for politicians.

Nothing shows the utter cynicism of the unions and the politicians who do their bidding like the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act" that the Obama administration tried to push through Congress. Employees' free choice as to whether or not to join a union is precisely what that legislation would destroy.

Workers already have a free choice in secret-ballot elections conducted under existing laws. As more and more workers in the private sector have voted to reject having a union represent them, the unions' answer has been to take away secret-ballot elections.

Under the "Employee Free Choice Act," unions would not have to win in secret-ballot elections in order to represent the workers. Instead, union representatives could simply collect signatures from the workers until they had a majority.

Why do we have secret ballots in the first place, whether in elections for unions or elections for government officials? To prevent intimidation and allow people to vote how they want to, without fear of retaliation.

This is a crucial right that unions want to take away from workers. The actions of union mobs in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere give us a free home demonstration of how little they respect the rights of those who disagree with them and how much they rely on harassment and threats to get what they want.

It takes world-class chutzpah to call circumventing secret ballots the "Employee Free Choice Act." To unions, workers are just the raw material used to create union power, just as iron ore is the raw material used by U.S. Steel and bauxite is the raw material used by the Aluminum Company of America.

The most fundamental fact about labor unions is that they do not create any wealth. They are one of a growing number of institutions which specialize in siphoning off wealth created by others, whether those others are businesses or the taxpayers.

There are limits to how long unions can siphon off money from businesses, without facing serious economic repercussions.

The most famous labor union leader, the legendary John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers from 1920 to 1960, secured rising wages and job benefits for the coal miners, far beyond what they could have gotten out of a free market based on supply and demand.

But there is no free lunch.

An economist at the University of Chicago called John L. Lewis "the world's greatest oil salesman."

His strikes that interrupted the supply of coal, as well as the resulting wage increases that raised its price, caused many individuals and businesses to switch from using coal to using oil, leading to reduced employment of coal miners. The higher wage rates also led coal companies to replace many miners with machines.

The net result was a huge decline in employment in the coal mining industry, leaving many mining towns virtually ghost towns by the 1960s. There is no free lunch.

Similar things happened in the unionized steel industry and in the unionized automobile industry. At one time, U.S. Steel was the largest steel producer in the world and General Motors the largest automobile manufacturer. No more. Their unions were riding high in their heyday, but they too discovered that there is no free lunch, as their members lost jobs by the hundreds of thousands.

Workers have also learned that there is no free lunch, which is why they have, over the years, increasingly voted against being represented by unions in secret ballot elections.

One set of workers, however, remained largely immune to such repercussions. These are government workers represented by public sector unions.

While oil could replace coal, while U.S. Steel dropped from number one in the world to number ten, and Toyota could replace General Motors as the world's leading producer of cars, government is a monopoly. Nobody is likely to replace the federal or state bureaucracies, no matter how much money the unions drain from the taxpayers.

That is why government unions continue to thrive while private sector unions decline. Taxpayers provide their free lunch.

Yesterday on the Senate floor, I delivered the fiscal facts that we cannot afford to ignore:

View the video

Thank you for your continued interest in these important issues.  Please feel free to contact me at (312) 886-3506 or online at kirk.senate.gov if you have any questions or concerns about legislation before the Congress, or if you are in need of assistance with a Federal agency.

It is an honor to serve you in the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Mark Kirk

U.S. Senate

FOID Card Information Should Remain Private

The Illinois Attorney General’s office caused an uproar this week when they issued an opinion stating that the over one million FOID card holders in Illinois are not entitled to their information being kept private.  In other words, our state’s leading lawyer feels that those who have met extensive legal requirements to own or possess a firearm should automatically have some of their personal information made public, simply because they choose to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed 2^nd Amendment rights.

The potential problems the release of this information could cause are numerous and should make the Attorney General  rescind her decision.  If this decision were carried out (so far the State Police have continued to refuse the release of such information) personal privacy and public safety would be jeopardized.  Let me give you just a few examples of some problems that may arise.

First, I can’t really see the benefit to releasing FOID card holders information.  It doesn’t protect the public, I can’t see  how releasing just the names of all card holders will in some way show that the system is working, and right now the only people who truly need to view the list, law enforcement, already have access to it.

The threat to public safety if this information were to be released is something that needs to be considered.  Some will argue that just releasing the names of FOID card holders doesn’t present any risk to them, but we all know that with today’s technology and the vast amount of information compiled on the internet, all you need is a name to track someone down. 

If/when criminals get this information there are two distinct possibilities.  One, they may target those on the list in order to steal firearms.  Given this FOID information, criminals essentially have a road map to every gun owner’s home in Illinois.  Can you imagine these criminals looking through the list and driving to those individual’s houses just to see if they are home.  If they are not home, that is any easy target for offenders looking to steal a cache of guns.  Two, all those who are not on the list can be targeted, as offenders will automatically see their homes as unprotected and vulnerable.  That is especially a dangerous circumstance for seniors or others who may live alone.

The issue of personal privacy is also at stake here.  When someone fills out a FOID card application there is no disclaimer stating that the information may be made public.  Most people expect a basic right to privacy when filling out government forms, particularly when we are talking about applications that are filed through law enforcement offices.  If this information does become public, you can expect solicitors to obtain that list and use card holder’s names to push their products or agendas.  Anti-gun groups would be able to contact you directly, possibly at your home, and push their political agenda.  On the other side, the pro-gun groups may contact the individuals in order to try to get them to become members of their group.  There is also the small possibility that FOID card holders could be discriminated against simply because of their gun beliefs.

One other thing to consider is that FOID card holders can be any age.  That means minors under the age of 18 will have their information made available.  The A.G.’s opinion does not discern between minors and adults in the release of information, so those children who currently hold FOID cards would also be subject to this clear invasion of privacy.  Right now it is a general state policy that juvenile’s names and information not be published or made available, and this risks changing that precedent.

I strongly disagree with the Attorney General’s office on this matter, and fully support the Illinois State Police on continuing to keep this information private.  Currently, two legislative proposals (HB 7 and SB 27) would bar this information from becoming public.  House Bill 7 stalled in committee this week, but will likely be brought up for a vote next week.  I support both proposals.    

Could Real Revenue Projections be the beginning of Common-Sense Budgeting?

In what is a distinct change from the budget crafting process of the past few years, the House Revenue and Finance Committee has set a revenue projection for the upcoming fiscal year at $33.2 billion.  This may not seem like much progress, but in previous years revenue estimates were overly generous, and those optimistic projections helped cause the steep ramp up in state spending.

House Resolution 110 was passed out of the Revenue Committee and if passed by the entire House would set the total amount of spending for the FY 12 budget at the $33.2 billion figure.  That revenue estimate is more than $700 million less than the Governor’s projection, and over $2 billion less than what Quinn wanted to spend next year.

If this revenue projection is honored it will require significant spending reductions.  If these revenue projections are abided by, it will mean that the state can only spend as much money as available.

If we stick with this figure, it could signal that the General Assembly is on the path toward common-sense budgeting.  What I mean by that is instead of deciding on state spending first (which has been the normal process), we will take the approach that families take when crafting their budgets.  First, determine how much money is available to spend for the year and then ensure that expenses don’t exceed that amount.  This is a novel concept that should have been adopted years ago.   

“It’s not enough to influence Republicans, we must squeeze Democrats for better policy and better votes.”

Last week, we took a big first step. Actually, two steps.

On Wednesday, during an interview on WGN radio, Chicago Mayor Elect Rahm Emanuel said, “on day one, I’ll order the forensics audit”.  Click here to hear the interview. 

Emanuel is a Bill Clinton politician and not an ideologue like the current President.  After the 1994 midterm shellacking, Bill Clinton co-opted Newt Gingrich’s platform.  So, it is interesting to see Rahm co-opt the main plank of my gubernatorial platform and subsequent For The Good of Illinois public policy campaign. Click here to read Eric Zorn’s column in Chicago Tribune. 

On Thursday, House Speaker Michael Madigan co-opted the management/forensic audit of the Illinois Workers' Compensation program "as it applies to state employees." Originally, the legislation was put forward by freshman Republican state representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon).   Kay’s audit resolution (HR52) led on this issue.  Kay is now a chief sponsor of the Madigan audit. Click here to see the Belleville New Democrat coverage.

Less than 45 days on the job, Dwight Kay scored a big victory.  This was the perfect confluence of local media, grassroots support, an elected state rep, and our organizational focus on the auditing issue.

Dwight Kay was one of four candidates that our For The Good of Illinois PAC helped elect last November.  Kay beat an 18 year Democratic incumbent who started the election cycle with $1 million in the bank!  Dwight Kay is an incredible leader and a rising star.

Thank you for signing petitions, making phone calls, sending emails, wearing stickers, and maximizing your voice.  The political class is listening. Your activism is squeezing Democrats and Republicans for better policy and better votes. 

We are driving real reform. Thank you for standing strong with courage and conviction. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we will bring a new day to Illinois.

Sincerely,

Adam Andrzejewski
Founder | CEO 
For the Good of Illinois

Should the U.S. Undermine Qaddafi?

As Libyan troops attack civilians, should the United States and our allies undermine Qaddafi’s rule?

Earlier this week, a Libyan ambassador to the United Nations asked the international community to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to stop Qaddafi from bombing demonstrators.  Yesterday, President Obama warned he might impose unilateral economic sanctions against the Qaddafi regime if the violence continues.

I believe the President should take action to 1) freeze regime assets, 2) deny visas to key regime supporters, 3) halt government contracts with the Libya and 4) impose sanctions on the mercenary companies hired by Qaddafi to attack his own people.

It is also time to hear what you think.  

How do you think the United States should respond to the crisis in Libya?

•  Impose financial and diplomatic sanctions against the Qaddafi regime, its key military leaders and hired mercenaries,
•  Establish and enforce a no-fly zone over Libya,
•  Impose financial/diplomatic sanctions and administer a no-fly zone, or
•  Only act after permission from the U.N. Security Council.

I will provide further details on what I think our policy should when I hear from you.  

Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.  Please feel free to contact me at (312) 886-3506 or online at kirk.senate.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the federal government.  

It is an honor to serve you in the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Mark Kirk

U.S. Senate

"Madison is a very Lefty town that can turn out a mob of protesters for any 'progressive' cause, including students who like that sort of thing and don’t have real jobs. And the unions have a hard, serious, cash-money stake in the outcome of this struggle. They are going to lose a lot of money if Walker and the GOP win. They are also going to lose the capacity to get more in the future if they lose their collective bargaining. I would expect them to be able to turn out a lot of people for a threat this serious. They have member lists and a budget for printed signs, buses, etc. So of course you would expect the anti-Walker, anti-Bill side to get a huge turnout. It is pre-loaded.

Yet ordinary voters and taxpayers, who believe that the current path is leading the state to ruin, who support the Governor and the GOP, were able to assemble a sizeable crowd in response. This is progress.A few years ago, it would not have been possible."

Lexington Green from the Chicago Boyz website attended the rally with the Chicago Tea Party and has this full report:

Union Protestor Attempts to Sabotage Speakers at Tea Party Rally

A union protestor tried to shut down the Tea Party rally in Madison on Saturday by pulling the cords out of the speakers during one of the speeches.  He then became violent with the people who tried to plug the cords back in. Apparently to this union operative the right to free speech only extends to people he agrees with. Many Chicago Tea Party Patriots were there to eyewitness the event.  The Daily Caller has the full story here, with video: